as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard
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Recent Examples of predecessor
The agreement followed several months of on-and-off negotiations, including a last-minute Redstone rejection of an earlier proposal from Skydance.
McCarthy has been with Paramount Global and its predecessor Viacom for more than two decades, having first come to the company in 2003.
—
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return for the new installment that, based on the trailer, could be delivering even more sinister scares than its predecessor.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 July 2025
Not only were scaly reptiles proliferating, but the predecessors of mammals were also evolving fur and whiskers.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
Like its 1998 predecessor, Tracks II represents the Holy Grail for the Boss’ devoted following.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return for the new installment that, based on the trailer, could be delivering even more sinister scares than its predecessor.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 July 2025
Not only were scaly reptiles proliferating, but the predecessors of mammals were also evolving fur and whiskers.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
Like its 1998 predecessor, Tracks II represents the Holy Grail for the Boss’ devoted following.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predecessor
Noun
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Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Little vs. Hecox, which began in 2020 when Idaho became a forerunner for states with laws that ban trans athletes in women's and girls' sports.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 July 2025
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For some years, the Octagon was home to Ohio’s militia, a forerunner to today’s National Guard; during the summer, soldiers would erect tents and practice training exercises.—
Kevin Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Such cooperative behavior to defend from predators like raptors may have first evolved in our ancestors.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predecessor. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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